Punjab 2 (Sahij Pal 14’, 94’)
defeated
Tripura 1 (Arma Jamatia 66’)

AIFF Media Team

NARAINPUR, CHHATTISGARH: Punjab booked their place in the semi-finals of the Swami Vivekananda U20 Men’s National Football Championship after edging Tripura 2-1 in a thrilling quarter-final at the RK Ashram Ground 1 on Monday, May 18, 2026.

Sahij Pal emerged as the hero for Punjab with a dramatic extra-time winner in a closely-fought encounter between two group winners. Punjab made a bright start and went ahead in the 14th minute when Pal finished clinically to give his side the early advantage.

Tripura, however, refused to back down and gradually grew into the contest. Their persistence paid off in the 66th minute as substitute Arma Jamatia found the equaliser to bring his side back into the game and force extra-time.

With both teams pushing hard for a decisive breakthrough, Pal struck in the first few minutes of extra-time to send Punjab into the last four.